Student’s pep talk by England rugby star

An East Riding College sports student has been rewarded for his commitment to studying and coaching sport with a personal pep talk by an England rugby union star.Matty Lock, 17, from Driffield, got a call from London Wasps captain James Haskell as a reward for the work he has done to promote touch rugby.As well as supporting the College’s sport maker, Matt Jeffery, to organise extra-curricular activities, he has been working to promote O2Touch, an initiative run by the Rugby Football Union and O2 to deliver touch rugby.

Matty said: “It was truly amazing to be able to speak to an England rugby player like James Haskell.“The experience has provided me with the motivation and inspiration to keep going and fulfil the aims and targets set for me, which are to increase participation and incorporate O2Touch into curriculum lessons at the College.”He added: “Since joining the College in September 2013, I have been heavily involved in extra-curricular sport, whether it’s participating, coaching or organising it.“Through this, Matt has acknowledged my willingness, commitment and contribution and provided me with the opportunity to coach and promote rugby by forwarding me to the RFU who trained me in the best ways to promote and run rugby in the local area.”

Matt Jeffery, the College’s sport maker, said: “Matty thoroughly deserved to be recognised for all the great work he has been doing to promote O2Touch.“He has shown real dedication and commitment to his role and has done a lot to increase participation locally, and to receive a phone call from James Haskell will only make him even more motivated.”

Matty’s role is to increase participation in O2Touch in the College and local area to aid the sport’s growth and development nationally in an attempt help make it a sport in its own right, as it is in southern hemisphere nations like New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.As well as his work within the College where he has been promoting and preparing for students’ participation in O2Touch, outside of college he has been organising and testing a women’s only O2Touch group.As part of his role, he has been using social media to log his activities by sharing pictures and latest news on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #O2Touch.The call from James Haskell came on the back of the England team’s acknowledgement of Matty’s hard work and commitment.

For more information about East Riding College sport and recreation or other courses, visit www.eastridingcollege.ac.uk or call 0845 120 0037.